National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reconciliation requires action from all of us

2026-09-30

On September 30th, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the ongoing harms and intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system in Canada.

We reflect on Orange Shirt Day and remember the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who never came home, as well as the Survivors, families, and communities forever changed by residential schools. We acknowledge the ongoing legacy of these harms, including systemic racism and barriers to fair and equitable health care.

The CFPC, in collaboration with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, issued a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People in Canada in 2022 and since then has worked toward addressing systemic racism affecting Indigenous people within family medicine education and the health care system. The CFPC’s Cultural Safety and Humility Journey highlights some of the actions taken to advance these commitments since the Declaration was signed.

“We continue to work with the Indigenous Health Committee on reflecting Indigenous priorities in CFPC work, including developing our new strategic plan, supporting Indigenous physicians and learners, strengthening Indigenous representation in our leadership, and creating opportunities for family physicians to learn about Indigenous health, cultural safety, and humility,” said Dr. Mike Allan, the CEO of the CFPC. “Continued learning and self-reflection is an important step toward meaningful action and family physicians have a responsibility to deepen their understanding of systemic racism, Indigenous health, cultural safety, and humility, and to consider how that learning translates into their practice.”

Advancing Indigenous health in medical education and supporting continued learning for family physicians are important parts of this work. In February 2026, the CFPC joined national medical organizations in signing the NCIME and Partners’ Declaration of Shared Purpose and Commitment to advance Indigenous medical education and address systemic anti-Indigenous racism and structural barriers. The CFPC also supports ongoing learning through Mainpro+^® Certified activities and opportunities for learning and dialogue through Family Medicine Forum, Canadian Family Physician, the Family Medicine Matters podcast, and other resources. Visit Indigenous Health at the CFPC to explore these learning opportunities.

“Reconciliation is an ongoing journey and there is still much work to be done,” said Dr. Sarah Cook, the CFPC’s President. “The actions we are taking are not an endpoint, but part of the CFPC’s ongoing commitment to learning, accountability, and sustained action. Reconciliation requires action from all of us.”

The CFPC is closed September 30th to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

 
Sincerely,
Sarah Cook, MD, CCFP, FCFP, CCPE, CHE
President
 
Michael Allan, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Chief Executive Officer